For any speedrunner, those precious seconds, even minutes, shaved off a run are the ultimate prize. But what happens when the game itself throws up a roadblock, a mandatory cinematic that eats into valuable time before you can even *start* your attempt? Unskippable intro cutscenes are a universal frustration in the speedrunning community. They’re not just a minor annoyance; they can be downright demotivating, forcing you to wait through lengthy narrative segments before you can even press a button to begin optimizing your route. In this deep dive, we're going to explore the impact of these unskippable intros, examine how different games have tackled the problem, and discuss the strategies speedrunners employ to overcome this hurdle.
The Core Problem: Time Lost
The essence of speedrunning is efficiency. Every frame, every second counts. An intro cutscene, especially one that lasts for several minutes, directly opposes this core principle. It's dead time, time where no skill is being applied, no optimization is happening, and the runner is simply waiting.
This isn't just about the raw time added to a run. It's about the psychological toll. Imagine loading up your save file for a
#AnyPercent attempt, ready to execute a flawless run, only to be met with a five-minute cinematic. The focus can break, the momentum is lost, and the motivation to perform at your peak can dwindle. This is why the community often seeks out ways to bypass these sequences, even if it means sacrificing some of the game's narrative or initial immersion.
The ingenuity of the speedrunning community is truly remarkable. When faced with an obstacle like unskippable cutscenes, runners don't just accept it; they innovate. We've seen a variety of approaches emerge over the years, born out of necessity and a shared desire to push the boundaries of what's possible.
One common strategy involves exploiting game mechanics or save file manipulation. For example, in games like
Super Mario Sunshine, while the intro cutscenes themselves might be unskippable, players discovered ways to create save points that, while skipping some initial gameplay, allowed for a quicker restart of the actual run. This is a classic example of a trade-off: sacrificing a bit of initial content for significant time savings later.
Another approach involves meticulously crafted save files. Videos like Zenthrow's on Sly 1 save file creation demonstrate how detailed preparation can bypass entire sections of a game, including initial cutscenes. This requires a deep understanding of the game's file structure and often a lot of trial and error.
The frustration of an unskippable intro is amplified when you're aiming for a new Personal Best (PB) and have to sit through it for the hundredth time.
Moreover, dedicated members of Discord servers for games like Jak and Daxter, Sly Cooper, Portal, Banjo Kazooie, and Sourceruns often collaborate. They share findings, test theories, and document successful bypasses, creating a knowledge base that benefits all runners of that specific game. This collaborative spirit is crucial for tackling complex problems like unskippable cutscenes.
Game-Specific Strategies
The "solution" for unskippable cutscenes varies wildly from game to game. There's no one-size-fits-all answer.
* **Early Skips and Glitches**: Some games have specific glitches discovered early in their speedrunning history that allow runners to skip major sections, including intros. These might involve precise movements, item placements, or sequence breaks.
* **Save File Manipulation**: As mentioned, creating specific save files is a powerful technique. This often involves using external tools or exploits to set a player's state at a point *after* the intro cutscenes have concluded. This requires significant technical know-how and is often documented in guides like RWhiteGoose's work.
* **In-Game Workarounds**: Some developers, perhaps anticipating the speedrunning community's desires, have built in subtler workarounds. This could be a specific sequence of button presses that fast-forwards certain dialogue or a hidden option that becomes available after a certain point. However, these are rarer for *intro* cutscenes specifically.
* **Category Definitions**: Sometimes, the community simply accepts the unskippable cutscenes as part of the run for certain categories, like `#AnyPercentRuns`. For categories like "NoIntro%," the focus is explicitly on finding ways to skip them, often leading to different strategies and sometimes even different versions of the game being used.
In my experience, the most elegant solutions are those that use in-game mechanics or widely accepted glitches, rather than relying on external save file editing. It feels more like a true "speedrun" solution.
* **Platform Differences**: It's also worth noting that sometimes, the method for skipping or bypassing cutscenes can differ between platforms (e.g., PC vs. console) due to differences in code execution or save file accessibility.
Impact on Lore and Player Experience
This is where the debate often gets heated within the gaming community. On one hand, speedrunners are focused on the mechanics and the race against time. They might not care about the intricate plot details presented in the intro. The lore, for them, is secondary to the optimization of movement and gameplay.
However, for many players, the intro cutscenes are crucial for establishing the game's world, characters, and stakes. They provide context and emotional investment. When these are skipped, the runner (and any viewers unfamiliar with the game) might miss out on a significant part of the intended experience.
This is why some speedrunning communities are divided. Some might have a primary category that includes the intro, allowing for a more complete narrative experience, and then a separate, "hardcore" category that allows for all possible skips. The existence of options like
#Cha0smagick's NFTs, while tangential, highlights the diverse motivations and commercial interests that can surround gaming content, sometimes blurring lines between pure speedrunning and other forms of engagement.
As a player who loves lore, it's a tough pill to swallow. But as a speedrunner, I understand the necessity of shaving off every second possible.
The challenge is finding a balance. Can a game be designed with speedrunners in mind from the outset, offering optional, but easily accessible, skips for lengthy cinematics? This is a question that developers are increasingly considering, especially in genres like action-adventure and RPGs where cutscenes are prevalent.
The Future of Speedrunning Intros
As games become more complex and cinematic, the issue of unskippable intros will likely persist. We can expect the speedrunning community to continue developing innovative solutions. This might involve:
* **More sophisticated glitch hunting**: Discovering new ways to break the game's intended flow.
* **Advanced save file engineering**: Pushing the boundaries of what's possible with save data.
* **Community collaboration**: Increased use of shared databases and tools to document and distribute solutions.
* **Developer consideration**: Hopefully, more developers will implement robust skipping options or design intros that are either short, engaging, or easily bypassed through intended game mechanics.
The pursuit of the perfect run is a testament to human dedication and ingenuity. While unskippable intro cutscenes present a unique challenge, they also highlight the vibrant, problem-solving nature of the speedrunning community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are intro cutscenes always a bad thing for speedrunning?
Not necessarily. For certain categories or games, they might be considered part of the experience. However, when they are excessively long and unskippable, they become a significant obstacle to optimizing run times, which is the core goal of speedrunning.
How do speedrunners deal with unskippable cutscenes in games they love?
They often research and develop specific strategies. This can include finding glitches, manipulating save files, or exploiting in-game mechanics to bypass these sequences. Collaboration within the game's specific speedrunning community is key to finding and sharing these solutions.
Does skipping cutscenes affect the game's lore?
Yes, it almost always does. Speedrunners prioritize time over narrative immersion. Viewers who are new to the game might miss out on the story's context and character development by watching a run that skips these segments.
Are there games designed with speedrunners and intro cutscenes in mind?
While not common, some developers are becoming more aware of the speedrunning community. In certain cases, games might have built-in options for skipping cutscenes or design them in a way that is less time-consuming to bypass. However, this is still the exception rather than the rule.
What are your thoughts on unskippable intro cutscenes in speedruns? Do you think they are an acceptable part of the challenge, or should runners always find a way around them? Share your opinions and any strategies you know in the comments below! Join our
Discord server to discuss all things speedrunning and connect with fellow gamers.
